Wes Freml

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL:10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at St. Rose Of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa.INTERMENT:St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, Denison, Iowa.VISITATION:From 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 11, 2014, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa.PARISH VIGIL SERVICE:8:00 p.m., Monday, August 11, 2014, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa. Wesley Robert Freml, son of Charles and Anita Hammer Freml, was born October 15, 1921, on the Freml family farm in Milford Township, Crawford County, northwest of Vail, Iowa. He attended Milford Rural School Number 2, near his home. His baptism and confirmation took place at St. Ann Catholic Church in Vail. After his schooling, Wes spent time farming before going into military service during World War II. He was inducted into the U.S. Army September 21, 1942. He was first deployed to service in the Aleutian-Asiatic-Pacific Theatre after which he was awarded a Battle Ribbon, one Bronze Battle Star and a Good Conduct Medal. He was awarded three more Bronze Battle Stars after being engaged in the European-Africa-Middle Easter Theatre and again, following the Rome-Arno-Rhineland Theatre in Central Europe, he was awarded a Service Stripe, four Overseas Service Bars, the American Campaign Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged December 8, 1945. Following his military service, Wes returned to spend some years engaged in the farming occupation. On January 7, 1953, Wes was united in marriage with Rita Marie Zeimen at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa. They made their home on their farm south of Denison and became the parents of six sons. Wes and Rita were kept busy with farming and raising their family. They were active members of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison. They enjoyed dancing, play cards and visiting with family and friends through the years. He and Rita especially loved and enjoyed their children and grandchildren. Throughout his life Wes always had a keen interest in horses. Wes continued his occupation as a farmer, retiring in 1985, yet remaining to live on the farm. He and Rita moved to their home in Denison in 1995 where he continued to live following Rita’s death, February 25, 2004. Wes was a member of the American Legion Post 8 for over 65 years, serving as a color guard with that organization for 20 years and served as a Denison Township Trustee for 10 years. He delivered meals to the elderly and homebound for almost 30 years which was a service project he shared with Rita before her death. Wes died early Saturday, August 9, 2014, at the Denison Care Center in Denison. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 92 years, 9 months and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his wife Rita; son Joseph; his parents, Charles and Anita; step-father George Freml; grandson Chad Freml; sister Inez and husband Carl Rostermundt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Clifford Cook, Paul Harlow, Maurice Zeimen, Martin Lally, Lucille and husband John Uhl, Sister Marci Zeimen and Irma Zeimen. Survivors include five sons: James and wife Sherri Freml of Denison, Iowa; Thomas and wife Karin Freml of Creston, Iowa; Charles and wife Susan Freml of Glidden, Iowa; Richard and wife Mary Freml and Gerry and wife Diane Freml of Harlan, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Freml of Corning, Iowa; 18 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sisters: Anita Cook of Wall Lake, Iowa and Marjorie Harlow of Denison, Iowa; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Gilbert Zeimen, Robert Zeimen, and Mary Lally of Denison, Iowa; Ann and husband Dewey Whited of Hillsboro, Oregon; Sister Maria Zeimen of Chicago, Illinois; Joseph and wife Jan Zeimen of Garden Grove, California; and Raymond and wife Bev Zeimen of Denver, Colorado; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the mass included Servers: Austin Freese and Logan Dahm; Lectors: Jamie Huinke and Hilaree Freml; Gift Bearers: Katie Nelson and Meagan Freml; and Euchartistic Minister: Jana Wegner. Music for the mass was provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Amazing Grace”, “Be Not Afraid” and “How Great Thou Art” with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist. Honorary Pallbearers included Robert Zeimen, Gilbert Zeimen, Carl and Mary Lou Muff, Richard and Delores Holihan, Steve and Cheryl Rogers, Janice Neppl and Duane in memoriam, Francis and Sharrel Uhl and Kenneth and Vivian Rostermundt. Serving as Pallbearers were Lance Freml, Jared Freml, Joel Freml, Brett Freml, Nicholas Freml and Blake Freml. Interment, with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, and Tara Meinen playing Taps, was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the interment everyone was invited to return to the Parish Center and join the family for fellowship and a meal catered by Hy-Vee with desserts provided and served by St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. A visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 11, 2014, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison where a Parish Vigil Service, led by Sister Maria Zeimen, was held at 8:00 p.m. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.